MARIA. I am obliged to your sister, sir, and was just intending to go. [_Going._ MANLY. I shall attend her with pleasure. [_Exit with MARIA, followed by DIMPLE and CHARLOTTE._] MARIA. Now, pray, don't betray me to your brother. [CHARLOTTE. [_Just as she sees him make a motion to take his leave._] One word with you, brother, if you please. [_Follows them out._ _Manent DIMPLE and LETITIA._ DIMPLE. You received the billet I sent you, I presume? LETITIA. Hush!--Yes. DIMPLE. When shall I pay my respects to you? LETITIA. At eight I shall be unengaged. _Re-enter CHARLOTTE._ DIMPLE. Did my lovely angel receive my billet? [_To CHARLOTTE._ CHARLOTTE. Yes. DIMPLE. What hour shall I expect with impatience? CHARLOTTE. At eight I shall be at home unengaged. DIMPLE. Unfortunately! I have a horrid engagement of business at that hour. Can't you finish your visit earlier, and let six be the happy hour? CHARLOTTE. You know your influence over me.] [_Exeunt severally._ SCENE II. _VAN ROUGH'S House._ VAN ROUGH [_alone_]. It cannot possibly be true! The son of my old friend can't have acted so unadvisedly. Seventeen thousand pounds! in bills! Mr. Transfer must have been mistaken. He always appeared so prudent, and talked so well upon money-matters, and even assured me that he intended to change his dress for a suit of clothes which would not cost so much, and look more substantial, as soon as he married. No, no, no! it can't be; it cannot be. But, however, I must look out sharp. I did not care what his principles or his actions were, so long as he minded the main chance. Seventeen thousand pounds! If he had lost it in trade, why the best men may have ill-luck; but to game it away, as Transfer says--why, at this rate, his whole estate may go in one night, and, what is ten times worse, mine into the bargain. No, no; Mary is right. Leave women to look out in these matters; for all they look as if they didn't know a journal from a ledger, when their interest is concerned they know what's what; they mind the main chance as well as the best of us--I wonder Mary did not tell me she knew of his spending his money so foolishly. Seventeen thousand pounds! Why, if my daughter was standing up to be married, I would forbid the banns, if I found it was to a man who did not mind the main chance.--Hush! I hear somebody coming. 'Tis Mary's voice: a man with her too! I shou'dn't be surprised if this should be the other string to her bow. Aye, aye, let them alone; women understand the main chance.--Though, i' faith, I'll listen a little. [_Retires into a closet._ _MANLY leading in MARIA._